Did you know? Elouise and I wear heels every day. Yes, you read that properly – we are high-heel wearing foot doctors (podiatrists) who have dedicated our time to mastering the art of pain free stiletto strutting. Through our own pursuit and by helping our patients, we’ve discovered the key to mastering heels lies in understanding this one concept…
What our feet and bodies do differently when elevated 6 inches above the ground.
It’s all well and good jumping on Farfetch and picking yourself up the newest Isabel Marants, but do you ever think about what makes one style more wearable than another? The majority of this comes down to understanding heeled walking, which is the first thing Elouise and I teach people who come to us for help.
Here are the top 5 things you need to know –
- The majority of your weight moves to the outside (or lateral) part of your heel and foot when you wear high heels.
- Pressure on the ball of the foot increases by up to 40% when heel height reaches over 50mm
- The higher the heel the greater the curve in the lower back (lumbar spine)
- Your centre of mass becomes displaced (moves up higher) making you less balanced
- The muscle in the front of your legs (tibialis anterior) works the hardest
How to use this knowledge to pick the perfect shoe –
While everyone’s foot is different and changes with age and injury, remembering these 5 things when wearing heels can help you become a pro at picking the perfect shoe. For example, if you’re prone to ball of foot pain and have a big day of walking, aim for heels below 5cm. Or utilise the current trend of ankle straps and cuffs which better support the outside of the foot to lessen the chance of an ankle sprain. Planning on going to an event which requires you to keep your composure? Try a midi heel to lessen the chance of a fall, darling.
Our current favourite –
One of our current favourite all-rounders is the New Ground Rules Bootie by Manning Cartell, as featured on The Shoe Equation this month. The full toe-ankle lace up feature allows for an impressive amount of stability AND adjustability for different shaped toes and feet. The heel is below 5mm and block shaped to spread the pressure more evenly under the foot. Perfect this style with a ball of foot cushion and you’ve got yourself a winner, suitable for the majority of feet! Well done Manning Cartell – #twhtick
Keep these tips in mind next time you’re out shoe shopping (ahem, tomorrow anyone?) and let us know in the comments if you come across a great style!
E&E x
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(Picture credits – returnthefavour, glamourmagazine, newyorktimes, manningcartell)
